Program for the rifle club meeting held on Saturday, October 2nd, 1954 at the Rutherglen Rifle Range. F. Schlue, Captain. Entries to Mr. F. J. Terrill, Norong Central via Rutherglen.Program for a rifle club meeting, printed on a long sheet of green paper. One of two copies.rutherglen rifle club, rifle match, rutherglen rifle range

Colour photograph of group of nine people outside a temporary hotel built by local sawmillers after the hotel was destroyed by fire in 1954 Nowa Nowa Victoriahotels, accommodation

This item is from the ‘Pattison Collection’, a collection of books and records that was originally owned by the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute, which was founded in Warrnambool in 1853. By 1886 the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) had grown to have a Library, Museum and Fine Arts Gallery, with a collection of “… choice productions of art, and valuable specimens in almost every branch and many wonderful national curiosities are now to be seen there, including historic relics of the town and district.” It later included a School of Design. Although it was very well patronised, the lack of financial support led the WMI in 1911 to ask the City Council to take it over. In 1935 Ralph Pattison was appointed as City Librarian to establish and organise the Warrnambool Library as it was then called. When the WMI building was pulled down in 1963 a new civic building was erected on the site and the new Warrnambool Library, on behalf of the City Council, took over all the holdings of the WMI. At this time some of the items were separated and identified as the ‘Pattison Collection’, named after Ralph Pattison. Eventually the components of the WMI were distributed from the Warrnambool Library to various places, including the Art Gallery, Historical Society and Flagstaff Hill. Later some were even distributed to other regional branches of Corangamite Regional Library and passed to and fro. It is difficult now to trace just where all of the items have ended up. The books at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village generally display stamps and markings from Pattison as well as a variety of other institutions including the Mechanics’ Institute itself. RALPH ERIC PATTISON Ralph Eric Pattison was born in Rockhampton, Queensland, in 1891. He married Maude Swan from Warrnambool in 1920 and they set up home in Warrnambool. In 1935 Pattison accepted a position as City Librarian for the Warrnambool City Council. His huge challenge was to make a functional library within two rooms of the Mechanics’ Institute. He tirelessly cleaned, cleared and sorted a disarrayed collection of old books, jars of preserved specimens and other items reserved for exhibition in the city’s museum. He developed and updated the library with a wide variety of books for all tastes, including reference books for students; a difficult task to fulfil during the years following the Depression. He converted all of the lower area of the building into a library, reference room and reading room for members and the public. The books were sorted and stored using a cataloguing and card index system that he had developed himself. He also prepared the upper floor of the building and established the Art Gallery and later the Museum, a place to exhibit the many old relics that had been stored for years for this purpose. One of the treasures he found was a beautiful ancient clock, which he repaired, restored and enjoyed using in his office during the years of his service there. Ralph Pattison was described as “a meticulous gentleman whose punctuality, floorless courtesy and distinctive neat dress were hallmarks of his character, and ‘his’ clock controlled his daily routine, and his opening and closing of the library’s large heavy doors to the minute.” Pattison took leave during 1942 to 1942 to serve in the Royal Australian Navy, Volunteer Reserve as Lieutenant. A few years later he converted one of the Museum’s rooms into a Children’s Library, stocking it with suitable books for the younger generation. This was an instant success. In the 1950’s he had the honour of being appointed to the Victorian Library Board and received more inspiration from the monthly conferences in Melbourne. He was sadly retired in 1959 after over 23 years of service, due to the fact that he had gone over the working age of council officers. However he continued to take a very keen interest in the continual development of the Library until his death in 1969. WARRNAMBOOL PUBLIC LIBRARY The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) was formed by a voluntary community group in 1863, within six years of Warrnambool’s beginnings, and its Reading Room opened in 1854. The WMI operated until 1963, at which time it was one of the oldest Mechanics’ Institutes in Victoria. Mechanics’ Institutes offered important services to the public including libraries, reading rooms and places to display and store collections of all sorts such as curiosities and local historical relics. In 1886 a Museum and Fine Arts Gallery were added to the WMI and by the beginning of the 20th century there was also a billiards room and a School of Art. By this time all Mechanics’ Institutes in country Victoria had museums attached. Over the years the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Library was also known as the Warrnambool Public Library the Warrnambool Library and the Free Library. Early funding from the government was for the “Free Library”. The inscription in a book “Science of Man” was for the “Warrnambool Public Library”, donated by Joseph Archibald in 1899. Another inscription in the book “Catalogue of Plants Under Cultivation in the Melbourne Botanic Gardens 1 & 2, 1883” was presented to the “Warrnambool Library” and signed by the author W.R. Guilfoyle. In 1903 the Warrnambool Public Library decided to add a Juvenile Department to library and stock it with hundreds of books suitable for youth. In 1905 the Public Library committee decided to update the collection of books and added 100 new novels plus arrangements for the latest novels to be included as soon as they were available in Victoria. In July 1911 the Warrnambool Council took over the management of the Public Library, Art Gallery, Museum and Mechanics’ Institute and planned to double the size of the then-current building. In 1953, when Mr. R. Pattison was Public Librarian, the Warrnambool Public Library’s senior section 10,000 of the 13,000 books were fiction. The children’s section offered an additional 3,400 books. The library had the equivalent of one book per head of population and served around 33 percent of the reading population. The collection of books was made up of around 60 percent reference and 40 percent fiction. The library was lending 400 books per day. In 1963 the Warrnambool City Council allocated the site of the Mechanics’ Institute building, which included the Public Library, Museum and Art Gallery, for the new Municipal Offices and the Collections were dispersed until 1971. The Warrnambool Library took over the Mechanics’ Institute Library’s holdings on behalf of the Warrnambool City Council. Since the closure of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute the exact location and composition of the original WMI books and items has become unclear. Other materials have been added to the collection, including items from Terang MI, Warrnambool Court House and Customs House. Many of the books have been identified as the Pattison Collection, named after the Librarian who catalogued and numbered the books during his time as Warrnambool Public Librarian in the time before the Mechanics’ Institute closed. It seems that when Warrnambool became part of the Corangamite Regional Library some of the books and materials went to its head office in Colac and then back to Warrnambool where they were stored at the Art Gallery for quite some time. Some then went to the Warrnambool Historical Society, some stayed at the Art Gallery and some were moved to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. The various stamps and labels on the books held at Flagstaff Hill show the variety of the collection’s distribution and origin. The books in the collection at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village date from the 1850’s to the late 1950’s and include rare and valuable volumes. Many of the books are part of the “Pattison Collection” after the Warrnambool’s Public Librarian, Mr. R. Pattison The Pattison Collection, along with other items at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, was originally part of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s collection. The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Collection is primarily significant in its totality, rather than for the individual objects it contains. Its contents are highly representative of the development of Mechanics' Institute libraries across Australia, particularly Victoria. A diversity of publications and themes has been amassed, and these provide clues to our understanding of the nature of and changes in the reading habits of Victorians from the 1850s to the middle of the 20th century. The collection also highlights the Warrnambool community’s commitment to the Mechanics’ Institute, reading, literacy and learning in the regions, and proves that access to knowledge was not impeded by distance. These items help to provide a more complete picture of our community’s ideals and aspirations. The Warrnambool Mechanics Institute book collection has historical and social significance for its strong association with the Mechanics Institute movement and the important role it played in the intellectual, cultural and social development of people throughout the latter part of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. The collection of books is a rare example of an early lending library and its significance is enhanced by the survival of an original collection of many volumes. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s publication collection is of both local and state significance. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute Collection is primarily significant in its totality, rather than for the individual objects it contains. Its contents are highly representative of the development of Mechanics' Institute libraries across Australia, particularly Victoria. A diversity of publications and themes has been amassed, and these provide clues to our understanding of the nature of and changes in the reading habits of Victorians from the 1850s to the middle of the 20th century. The collection also highlights the Warrnambool community’s commitment to the Mechanics’ Institute, and to reading, literacy and learning in the regions, and proves that access to knowledge was not impeded by distance. These items help to provide a more complete picture of our community’s ideals and aspirations. As with many Mechanics' Institutes in Australia, the one which operated in Warrnambool was established and overseen for many years by key individuals associated with the development of the city itself. The WMI publication collection is historically significant because of its association with local people, places and the key historical themes in the development of Warrnambool of rural development, industry, farming, education, and community. The collection documents and illustrates the changing interests, focus and tastes of Victorians, especially those in regional cities. Generally the individual items in the collection are not particularly rare, as examples of all probably exist in other public collections in Victoria. It is primarily because there are so very few surviving Mechanics' Institute collections in Victoria, which lends this overall collection its significance. Many items in the WMI Collection have the potential to support further research, both as individual objects and through the collection in its entirety. This material is significant for its ability to assist in the interpretation of the history of the area and adds to the general understanding of the development of the township. Many components of the WMI publication collection complement and reinforce the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum Collection, the Warrnambool Art Gallery Collection, and that in the Warrnambool Historical Society, and also contribute to a clearer understanding of the original Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute collections. This will greatly enhance the appreciation of the few surviving Mechanics' Institute collections across Victoria, and also in New South Wales. The similarities and differences between the small number of collections that have survived can provide further insights into how the people of Victoria in general, and Warrnambool in particular, constructed a civic culture of adult learning to foster an informed citizenry. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute publication collection is of both local and state significance. The Australian Annual Digest 1954 A digest of the reported decisions of the Australian courts and of Australian Appeals to the Privy Council Editor Jean Malor Publisher:The Law Book Comp of Australasia Date: 1955 Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 346.94 AUS Front pastedown end page has sticker from Warrnambool Public Librarywarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, pattison collection, warrnambool library, ralph eric pattison, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, the australian annual digest 1954, jean malor

Black and white photographNote attached to photograph. 1954- Left:Arthur Wigley, Right: Ken Gowers, in drum uniforms.

English currency before decimalisation in the 1970's consisted of pounds, shillings and pence with twelve pennies to the shilling and twenty shillings to the pound.Coins ranged from farthings which were one quarter of a penny through to pennies, threepence, sixpence, shillings ,half crowns and crowns. Most coins had a variety of common names such as a " bob" for a shilling a "quid for a pound and a tanner for a sixpence. This coin is the equivalent of five shillings and is known as a crown. The text around the obverse, "Victoria Dei Gratia 1844". On the reverse the text of Reg Fid Def"Britanniar translates as Queen of Britain and defender of the faith. This coin is one of the smaller denominations.A common currency coin which has social and historical significance.Round copper coin with flat edge. The The obverse has an image of the young Victoria with text around the edge.The reverse has an image of Brittania in a chariot.Dotted edge around the inside rim of both sides.BRITTANNIAR REG FID DEFon the reverse and Victoria Dei gratia on the obverse.english penny, 1854 penny

This book was part of the Ballarat Ironworkers' and Polytechnic Association library.Red cloth covered book of 619 pages/Book plate of the Ballarat Ironworkers' and Polytechnic Association (no 1622) James Oddieballarat ironworkers' and polytechnic association, oddie, james oddie, metallurgy, library, bookplate, f. gray

Wallpaper fragment from an early workman's cottage in Weller St, Geelong West built in 1854. This property was refurbished following its sale in the early 1990s. Over time many layers of wallpaper had been pasted to the original paper. The wallpaper was damp and hanging off the walls. It was removed to reveal packing case 'slats' on the stud wall. When the skirting board was removed the original wallpaper was revealed. Although not a Warrnambool artefact, the Weller St property was owned by a local resident. It shows the wallpaper design of the period and the manner in which wallpaper was attached in the mid 19th century.Wallpaper fragment with maroon flowers and olive green leaves on a bone-coloured background mounted on hessian backinggeelong west, weller st, workman's cottage, interior decoration, wallpapers

Originally called the Reserve Hotel; built in 1895Black and white photograph and negative of the Mitcham Hotel taken in 1954 from the north-west corner of the junction of Mitcham and Whitehorse Roads (Note early introduction of traffic lights)mitcham hotel, mitcham road, mitcham, whitehorse road, reserve hotel, byrne's

Large Bound Accounting Ledger, which appears to be a ledger of Customer Accounts for the period approximately 1947-1954. There is an alphabetiocal index to names at the front of the ledger. Only a sample of pages scanned.

The photo, by an unknown photographer, shows tram 38, decorated for the 1954 Royal Visit in a Ballarat street - possibly Victoria St. The tram has the destination of City. Could be by a Sydney based photographer who did this type of captioning on his photographs. The numbers at the end of the caption may not be relevant, though could be a date.Yields information about the 1954 Royal Tram.Photograph, black and white - plain black with title written in white ink on the negative. Two copies held.Second copy has the stamp of C R G Field of Sydney on the rear tramways, trams, royal visit, decorated trams, tram 38

Black and white photograph"Written on back of photograph" Ringwood Mayoral Ball - 1954 Country dancing - Female dancers with Laurel Simms

Prior to the election of female Councillors and Mayors in the 1960’s, The Lady Mayoress role was one of the few ways women could officially undertake civic duties. Mayoresses made important contributions to their local communities through their charity work and as ambassadors for their region on a state and federal level. They also undertook some Mayoral duties on occasions if if their husband was unavailable. Mayoress Poulston was born Dora Isobel Morgan and was actively associated with many charities including the Baby Health Centre. Mayoress Poulston died in 1965 aged 75 and was born and lived her entire life in the district. Framed, oval photographic studio portrait. Hand coloured detail.ll, Reg Brock / of Bendigo. lr, Mrs R. Poulston / Mayoress / 1949 - 1950 / 1954 - 1955dora morgan, dora poulston, reg brock photographer, robert poulston, city of bendigo mayoress, city of greater bendigo portrait

6 certificates awarded to S.Winch for vases of cut flowers (23-Oct-1954); equal best exhibit - Fuchsia Section - 12-Mar-1966 (2 certs), Best exhibit Fuchsia Section (13-May-1967), Double Fuchsias 3 varieties (8-May-1971) & exhibit in Fuchsia Section (6-Mar-1971)Set of 6 certificates of Merit for outstanding exhibits at the Ringwood Horticultural & Agricultural Society: 3 buff coloured with blue lettering, 3 white with blue lettering - each with a picture of flowers. +Additional Keywords: S Winch(5) and D HollowayRingwood Horticultural & Agricultural Society Certificates of Merit for outstanding exhibits

Book, hard grey cover with title printed on spine. Front cover has a red flag with Nazi Swastika suspended from a horizontal flag pole. 608 pages.Stamped inside front cover: Ashwood's 376 Pitt St Sydney Written on title page: Donated by Bendigo YMCAbooks, military history

Hard Cover Book with Dust cover.Harold Freedman was an Artist of enormous drive, ambition and achievement. While best known for his series of painted and mosaic murals, the largest ever created in Australia. He was also an influential teacher, an official war Artist and book designer.

Linocut print and silk on paper.-

Acrylic on paper.Signed and dated 'G. D. Clarke 75'

Acrylic on paperSigned and dated beneath image, pencil "G D Clarke 84"

Painted collage on graph paper and tissue paperSigned and dated lower right corner "G CLARKE 74."

Standard issue sewing kit as used by National Serviceman, Lance Corporal B A Rosenthal, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, Vietnam 1967-8, Mentioned in Despatches for his command and control during a section ambush in which he was wounded. Unit Citation for Gallantry for his involvement in the Battle of Fire Support Bases Coral and Balmoral.Green material sewing kit with 3 pockets containing vaarious threads, needles and pins for sewing.A Rosenthal 002 4718450kit sewing, house wife, rosenthal

Scrap book of news clippings relating to the Ballarat School of Mines. Articles include: 1952 - Ballarat Gaol and the Ballarat School of MInes 1954 - Ballarat School of Mines Gardens, planting, and Harry Brewballarat gaol, ballarat school of mines, ballarat school of mines gardens, harry brew

Circular metal badges - white background, red lettering and red band around edge; white background, green lettering and green band around edge"Light Horse Show - Ringwood; 26th January 1953" and "Light Horse Show - Ringwood; 1st February 1954"

Black and white photograph"Written on back of photograph" Ringwood Mayoral Ball - 1954 Country dancing - Female dancers Ken & Laurel Simms.

A history of the Eventide Homes StawellWhite card cover with blue print and three colour photographs showing two showing houses the other showing a large brick buildingeventide homes Stawell inc. a great place to live 1954-2004 5o Years of caring by Jim Melbournestawell aged